Title: Mirage of Kaleidoscopes
Summary: Life is a kaleidoscope full of mirrors and shards that twist and turn creating a mirage of beauty and colour and in the end; life is nothing more than a beautiful illusion, just like a kaleidoscope.
Author's Note: … still hate writing this thing. So anyways I have received many questions about the last chapter and no I will not be explaining it in much detail because it'll give away so many things that I'm plotting for this story. *Cue evil laughter. Anyhow, the Mangekyo question… Yes Nanashi does have the Eternal Mangekyo, I made it reference to it several times in the earlier chapters. But I will tell you that her eyes are very different and special from all the others. Not gonna give away much, it'll be revealed later on. I've only given one small, tiny hint in the earlier chapters so go back and re-read it. If you still don't understand what I'm talking about go back and re-read the previous chapters carefully and dissect all the conversation between Nanashi and other people – mostly Shouji. I will attempt to make the eye thing more obvious in this one… try being the key word.
Chapter 11: Sacrifice
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"There are so many ways to be brave in this world. Sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater."
― Veronica Roth, Allegiant
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Nanashi looked at the darkening sky and sighed deeply. Her breathe turning into small wisps of mist in the cold air before fading.
A shawl wrapped around her and a mug of hot tea in her hands, she stood there on the balcony admiring the red and orange leaves.
It would be a long time before she would ever feel so peaceful again.
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"Kaa-san… why can't I do the stupid bunshin? Everyone else can do it but I can't," Naruto bawled as he clutched the sleeves of her dark blue kimono.
Nanashi gently patted Naruto's head and gestured for Sai to come as well.
"Listen to me Naruto, it is fine if you can't do it. Kaa-san will teach you something even better alright? And you can learn it with Sai as well. But you have much more chakra than Sai so remember to slow down for him alright?"
Naruto's eyes brightened at Nanashi's words and clutched Sai's hand and nodded vigorously, "Yes Kaa-san!"
Nanashi smiled, "Alright, this is the Shadow Clone Jutsu."
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"Sensei! There's an ANBU here!" Anko exclaimed as she went through hand gestures to prove that she was a Konoha kunoichi.
Nanashi placed that dishes down on the table and nodded, "Anko set up the table and serve dinner, I be back as soon as possible."
Anko nodded and grinned, "We'll save you some Nanashi-sensei!"
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"Nanashi-dono… the Sandaime wishes for a peaceful resolution to the coup d'état…" Shisui whispered softly. But Danzo will not allow that remained unspoken.
Nanashi nodded, "Will you head into the shadows Shisui?"
He nodded grimly but with a resolute look on his face, "It is my duty."
Nanashi stared silently at the teen in front of her, "Even if it means losing all you have ever known, will you still go into the shadows?"
"For this village, for the people of Konohagakure… so that war will no longer come, I would do it a thousand times over…" Shisui replied.
Nanashi smiled bitterly, "A thousand times over… for the village and its people… Shisui, you are truly a shinobi of this village."
Shisui smiled sadly, "You are too Nanashi-dono… are you not doing all this for the ones you love?"
Nanashi paused and her eyes bled into red, "No… not for the village, not for the people, not even for those whom I love… I do this for myself… I do this because I am a selfish person Shisui…"
Shisui smiled, this time brighter, "Then you are not the monster they say you are Nanashi-dono." He placed his mask back on.
"Goodbye Shisui…"
"Goodbye Nanashi-dono…"
A gust of wind and Nanashi remained alone.
"Self-sacrifice… A nameless shinobi who protects peace from within its shadow… That is a true shinobi," Nanashi repeated the words that Shisui would say to Itachi and felt a deep resentment and bitterness towards the village that transformed these boys into creatures who have no choice but to thrive in the darkness.
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"Nanashi-san… how can I make the fire ball bigger? I've tried everything and it's still not as big as the one Aniki did before," Sasuke sulked as he sat beside her.
Nanashi smiled and passed Sasuke a towel and a bottle of water, "Patience Sasuke-san… no one expects you to master the Goukakyuu in a short time."
Sasuke shook his head, "Aniki did it in a week so I want to as well!"
He tossed his towel down and ran back, but before he could Nanashi's hand struck out and grasped his hand.
"Sasuke-san, look at your hands, they're shaking… remember what I have taught you, the trembling is the earliest sign of chakra exhaustion. I will not permit you to continue as more today," Nanashi's tone grew softer as tears began gathering near the edge of Sasuke's eyes.
"Tomorrow we will continue again Sasuke-san, but rest now for today."
Sasuke's eyes brightened, "Really! You're coming back tomorrow as well Nanashi-san!"
Nanashi nodded, "Just tomorrow, seeing that you've worked hard today I wouldn't mind taking some extra time to teach you."
Sasuke cheered.
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"Danzo-sama, I did not expect that you would call on me again… and with Itachi-kun together," Nanahsi remarked coolly.
The old war hawk merely stared at her blankly before speaking, "The Uchiha clan must be eliminated."
Itachi stiffened and Nanashi blinked slowly, and a tiny smile made its way onto her lips, "And why Danzo-sama, have you come to us?"
Danzo stared at Nanashi and smiled savagely, revealing the sleeping beast inside of him, "Two Uchihas who have access to the entire compound and both with enough skills to be the next Kage. It will be easier to stop the coup d'état before it even takes root in Konoha."
He turned to look at Itachi, "Kill the Uchiha and protect the village, this is the duty of all shinobi of Konohagakure – duty to the village comes before all else." He turned to Nanashi, "You are the Monster of Konoha, created, molded by our village – you of all people should know that for the tree to grow strong the roots must be hidden in the shadows."
Nanashi chuckled, "Danzo-sama you overestimate me. I am simply a woman trying to live a peaceful life." Her eyes flashed into red, "The tree will grow but I will never be content to stay in the shadows forever."
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Naruto sighed as he flopped onto the couch with Sai following behind him.
"Kaa-san, my bed is getting smaller and so is Sai's, can we get new ones?" Naruto asked as he blinked his baby blue eyes at Nanashi.
Nanashi smiled warmly, "Naruto, Sai, just wait a little while alright – Kaa-san is a bit busy right now. And the room is too small for new bed, we'll have to think about moving soon. The apartment clearly isn't big enough for the two of you." Nanashi ruffled their hair playfully before getting back to the stove.
"Eh! I don't want to move!" Naruto whined with Sai nodding in agreement.
"Who's moving?" Kakashi asked from the entrance.
Naruto's head spun to the side and he let out a happy yell, "Tou-chan!" He tackled into Kakashi and laughed as he was held up and down before being placed back on the ground.
"Inu-san," Sai greet monotonously but with the mischievous gleam in his eyes. In his hands he held a bright orange book, "What's Icha Icha Paradise."
At those three words, the wooden spoon in Nanashi's hands was crushed into two. Kakashi paled as he saw an evil aura overtake Nanashi.
"Ane-san! Woah – what happened – Holy! Sai where did you get that book –" Kai exclaimed. Touma snorted and walked into the living room before Nanashi descended upon them.
"Yes, Kakashi do tell," Nanashi said deadly.
Kakashi paled and Naruto and Sai traded identical mischievous grins – mission complete.
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"You know, when I said that you two were too young to think about taking on Kakashi-senpai, I didn't mean that you should turn Nanashi-san's wrath on him instead," Tenzo lectured.
Anko snorted and ate another stick of dango while Shin laughed at Sai and Naruto's story.
"Otoutou, you shouldn't have done that to Kakashi-san… no one deserves to have Mother's wrath on them," Kimimaro scolded lightly.
Naruto pouted, "But he always reads those bad books when Kaa-san isn't there, right Sai?"
"Yes, Naruto is correct, when Hahaue is not there he rarely hold himself back from laughing even in the presence of children such as ourselves," Sai said monotonously.
Shin sighed, "Sai, you remember that Onii-san reads those books too right?"
Sai nodded, "Yes I have taken that into account but Naruto and I felt prudent that such books of evil must be burnt and exorcised."
Looking heartbroken, Shin sulked in the corner while Anko laughed, "God I can't believe that you're Shin's brother – god kid you're as stiff as a broad – but in a good way. Nice going!"
"How dare you even leave those things here when Naruto and Sai could have read it at any time!"
Naruto and Sai winced and looked a bit ashamed, "Maybe tree-man's right Sai, next time maybe we should just deal with it."
Sai nodded after hearing a particularly loud scream – Kakashi's scream – from inside the apartment.
Tenzo sighed, "… I'm not tree-man… I'm Tenzo…"
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"Uchiha Shisui committed suicide!"
"He was such a talented shinobi as well… what a waste, the Uchiha must be in an uproar."
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Today, Sasuke seemed solemn and sad.
"What's wrong Sasuke-san?" Nanashi enquired softly, gently – the same way she talks to Naruto.
Sasuke looks up at her with big, dark eyes – innocent, trusting eyes – and whimpers slightly. Nanashi sighs as tears begin rolling down his cheeks and she gently dabs his face with a hankerchief.
"Sasuke-san, remember you were the one who said that big boys can't cry right? Now tell me your problem and maybe I can be of help," Nanashi said kindly with a (fake) smile on her face.
He look at her and harshly rubs away the tear, "Today people came and said that Aniki killed Shisui-san but it wasn't him and they keep on saying that it was. But I know that Aniki wouldn't do that!"
Nanashi smiled warmly, "Yes, I'm sure you're right Sasuke-san, Itachi would never betray the clan."
But I would.
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Itachi froze in horror as his three-tomoe Sharingan began to evolve. In his hands he clutched Shisui's remaining eye and he watched with raptly horror as Shisui took several choked breathe, blood pouring out of his mouth and a sword through his chest.
And then Shisui slid down and fell face flat onto the wet ground.
Above the rain beat harshly against the tree leaves, Itachi stared blankly at Nanashi who was wiping the sword on a cloth.
"Why… Why did you kill him! He told me to do it!" Itachi screamed.
Nanashi stared at him and smiled cruelly, "But could you?"
Itachi stared at her with numb and pain filled eyes, "I would have – he asked me to." And he looked up with blazing, scarlet eyes, "I won't forgive you for that Nanash – Shisui was mine."
"You don't have to forgive in, in fact I hope that you will hate me as much as you can Itachi," Nanashi whispered softly, her voice broken.
"But you'll always thank you – I saved you from having to kill your closest friend, I saved you from becoming like me."
Itachi fell down on his knees and cried, "Shisui was my friend – my first friend! He was mine to kill!"
Nanashi bent down and wrapped her arms around him, "Yes, he was probably one of the most important people to you Itachi. That's why it's fine if you hate me for killing him – despise me, loathe me, hold me with all the contempt you can muster. I don't mind."
Itachi cried harder and the thunder boomed in the dark skies.
"But always remember that you'll thank me and owe me – I gave you the ultimate eye, saved you having to kill a precious person and you're hands will never truly be stained with his blood. You can sleep, live, dream without knowing that you were the one who killed."
The rain fell on both their figures.
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Shisui's body was found later on in the morning.
Crushed and eyes gone.
He was cremated and his ashes spread across the village.
The village he died for.
Nanashi made sure of that.
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"I'm gonna be Hokage someday!" Naruto declared after dinner, while eating his ice cream.
Naruto grinned at Sai, "And Sai's gonna be my advisor and we're gonna fight bad guys like Kaa-san and Tou-chan!"
Anko laughed, "Oi Gaki, aren't you forgetting that your mom is the Third's declared heir."
Naruto gasped, "Really Kaa-san! Then you're my rival?"
Nanashi smiled weakly, "Yes Naruto, I am."
Then Naruto frowned and cross his arms and then he brightened, "Alright then Kaa-san will be my rival and if she becomes Hokage first then I'll just be Hokage after her!"
Kimimaro patted Naruto on the back, "That's a good goal Otoutou, mother is very good opponent to measure yourself against."
Shin nodded and spoke sagely, "Yep, an opponent that you can't hope so I'll prepare a funeral casket just in case."
Seeing that Naruto was about to throw a tantrum at Shin's remark, Sai intervened, "It's okay Naruto, I'll be fighting with you so we'll definitely beat Hahaue together!"
Naruto nodded, "Yeah! And we'll also kick Shin-nii's butt as well." Sai nodded, completely ignoring Shin's cries of "Sai! You traitor!"
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"Nana-chan… these eyes, they aren't permanent… I thought I had it all perfect, developing a normal sharingan into the Mangenkyo – I thought that it would make you all better if I gave you Shinji's Mangenkyo eyes, but I was wrong."
Shouji chuckled sadly.
"I'm sorry but this is the best that I can do – I'm sorry Nana-chan. I couldn't give you those eternal eyes."
Nanashi held Shouji's face in her hands and smiled, "I'm fine – I'll get to see again and for that I am grateful. Thank you…"
"I love you Nana-chan… I'd do anything for you… anything…"
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Nanashi fiddled with the silver and gold rings dangling on a silver chain and smiled sadly. The silver ring was a plain and simply one, with the engraved words of "Forever and Beyond." The gold ring was more elaborate with a ruby rose in the center, the engraved words were "Will you marry me?"
She placed the chain back in the box.
"I love you… I love you… Don't forget me Nana-san."
"I love you… I love you… I'll always love you Nana-chan."
She would never be able to reply.
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"I love you more than anything in the world."
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Naruto laughed brightly as he and Sai raced down the grassy hill, eyes bright with excitement and happiness. Nanashi felt a rush of adoration and indulgence swell within her and she smiles gently at the two children in front of her.
Beside her Kimimaro matches his pace to her and clutches one of her hands. Nanashi smiles at him and Kimimaro hesitantly returns it.
"Kaa-san… where are we going?" Kimimaro asked.
Nanashi stared ahead, and smiles sadly, "A very special place, Kimimaro."
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"Remember what it means to be a shinobi of Konohagakure…" Nanashi said solemnly as she traced Hotaru's name on the stone.
She turned around and stared at her three children.
"Do not fight for glory, for power, or revenge – to fight is to know that your life can be forfeited at any moment. To fight as a shinobi is to know that you fight and die within the shadows – you are the unknown, the un-named, and the ones who must embrace the darkness of this village," Nanashi looked them in the eyes and willed them to seethe darkness, the pain, the hatred and bitterness lurking within this village built once on a promise between two boys but now is nothing more than a mask hiding the darkness and evil lurking within it.
"You fight to protect your loved ones but don't forget that the people you fight, the people you kill and slaughter – they are also fighting for the ones they love and wish to protect. Do not judge your comrades, your friends, you enemies for the actions they must take and killing they must enact – because we all fight for the same reason."
Naruto scrunched up his face, "But Kaa-san, what about the Hokage? Isn't he the hero?"
Nanashi smiled fondly at her little sun, but also a little sad. "A shinobi is not hero, we are glorified murderers who act as the sword and shield for our prospective village. A Hokage is the one who embodies the all the darkness and light of a village – the strongest shinobi. But a Kage is also the cruelest murderer."
Her eyes flashed red, "Remember this day and remember it well – if you still want to be shinobi, if you still want to fight for Konoha."
All three of her boys looked at her, for the first time, with fear and reluctance.
"You will not walking the path of a hero, you will walk in the steps of the murderers who came before you. But remember, you will fight for those you love that will carry you to the end."
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"Fight not for yourself because it will only make you falter – fight for those you love and you will never give up."
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"Why did you take Naruto there! You know that he is too young to hear such things from you!" Kakashi accused with barely hidden anger.
Nanashi stared at him calmly and smiled, "He needs to know this as soon as possible – he wants to be Hokage doesn't he? What is a Kage if he cannot even face the demons lurking within his own village?"
"That give you no right to take him there – he is only six years old."
Her eyes turned cold and hard, "We were barely five when we had to fight a war. We had to kill and slaughter when we were six and we had to see all the darkness in the world without anyone sheltering us. We became strong."
"Yes," Kakashi said brokenly, "But we also broke."
Nanashi turned away, "Naruto, Kimimaro and Sai won't break, they are strong."
"Even the strongest can break. Look at you, look at me – we broke."
"No, they won't. Not with Naruto, not while you and I keep the darkness a bay," Nanashi said looking Kakashi in the eye. "I showed them only a glimpse of the darkness today but that will be it for now – a reminder that the world is not as bright as they think it is. Until they are ready to face it we will face the darkness for them."
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"A peaceful resolution with the Uchiha clan is what I want Nanashi," the Third spoke tiredly.
"If that is not possible?" Nanashi questioned.
The Third stared at the wall with blank eyes, "Then Danzo will be the one to take it from there."
"Yes Sandaime-sama."
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"Hiruzen is too weak to do the necessary thing – but I am not," Danzo stated solemnly, "The Uchiha clan must be eliminated so matter the cost."
Itachi stiffly nodded and Nanashi smiled.
If only you knew, Danzo, if only you knew.
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"Happy Birthday Sasuke-san," Nanashi said quietly.
Sasuke beamed and cautiously unwrapped the present in his hands. His black eyes brightened as he held the new kunai and shuriken set in his hands.
"Thank you Nanashi-san! Aniki and Otou-sama won't let me use real ones yet – just the really dulled ones."
Nanashi smiled, "You are a big boy now Sasuke-san, more than ready to face the world."
Sasuke smiled brightly and nodded.
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I'm sorry.
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"London Bridge is falling now, falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady…" Nanashi sang quietly in a language from her past life.
"Okaa-san, are you still up? It's time for bed," Naruto said tiredly as he peered into the kitchen.
Nanashi turned her head away from the bay window and smiled at Naruto, "Kaa-san will sleep soon, Naruto you go first alright?"
Her little sun nodded tiredly and walked away.
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"I met Sasuke's Niichan today! Kimi-nii is obviously better!" Naruto said, stuffing his cheeks with rice.
"He's got these really weird lines on his face and looks super weird," Naruto tilted his head for a moment, Nanashi smiled, so adorable. "Ah! He looks like Shin-nii when he gets beat up my Anko-nee-chan! Super weird and creepy!"
"Why you! Naruto!" Shin exclaimed while Anko laughed.
Sai nodded, "Yes, and although he is obvious better than Shin-nii-san in terms in skill, he would lose to Kimimaro-san without a doubt."
Ignoring Shin's cries of, "Naruto! You corrupted my cute little brother!" Kimimaro smiled at Naruto and gently ruffled his hair, "It makes it happy to hear you say that Naruto."
Naruto beamed.
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"Why do you fight Itachi?"
"For the village, for the people of Konohagakure, for everything this village stands for."
"Not for you clan, or family… or even Sasuke?"
"I treasure them but I must always put the village first."
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The Third took a deep whiff from his pipe as he gazed upon Konohagakure from the Hokage Monuments.
"So the Uchiha clan will not easily back away – you may leave now Weasel."
The Weasel masked ANBU nodded stiffly before disappearing in a whirlwind of leave.
"Sandaime, what will you have me do next?" Nanashi asked softly as she slowly appeared from the shadows.
The Third contemplated deeply and his gaze turned blank as though he were in another place.
"This village was built on a promise between Hashirama-sama and Uchiha Madara. Both wanted to create a village in order to stop all the fighting and bloodshed – but it only created more instead."
He sighed, "Let Danzo do what he wishes."
Nanashi nodded, "Yes Sandaime."
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"One to commit the crime and another to shoulder it."
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"This mask will be your identity now," Danzo stated as he placed the mask in Nanashi's hands.
She nodded and smiled, "Yes Danzo-sama."
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"I will do it," Nanashi said as she took another sip of her tea. Danzo and Itachi both looked in her direction.
"I will do it, but Itachi will shoulder the it, will that do Danzo-sama?" Nanashi asked sweetly.
Danzo stared at her with his sole eye and smiled, "Yes that will do – you truly are meant for the Uchiha Nanashi."
Nanashi smiled, "No… I am meant for the darkness not the shadows."
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Nanashi smiled fondly at Naruto's sleeping form and gently pressed a kiss on his forehead.
"Kaa-san, are you going on a mission?" Kimimaro asked.
"Yes, the Hokage is sending me to Earth as a guard, take care of your brother while I am away."
Kimimaro nodded and leaned into her touch as she pressed a kiss on his forehead as well.
"Take care of each other."
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"I want Kaa-san's ramen," Naruto said sadly. Sai nodded as he poked at the tofu dish in front of him.
"Come on I thought the two of you loved this restaurant," Kai said cheerfully.
"But I want Kaa-san…"
"Oh boy…" Kai whispered as tears began to gather in Naruto's eyes.
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"It's only going to be a week Naruto, Nanashi will be back soon," Kakashi said soothingly as he put Naruto and Sai to bed.
The two boys had taken to sleeping in the same bed as they used to when they were younger.
"Inu-san, will Hahaue be back tomorrow," Sai asked.
Kakashi shook his head, "A bit later than that."
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Anko snorted as Shin recounted Sai's "teary and emotional questioning about Nanashi" that had him crying as well.
"Man, it's only been like what, a week since sensei left and look there," Anko said jabbing a senbon at the depressed figure of Kimimaro.
"… A week and five hours now…"
Anko sweat dropped as Shin joined Kimimaro in the corner as well.
"I need more dango."
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"RUN!"
But they would never get away.
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"If the coup d'état happens, they will come for the Kyuubi as well," Kagami whispered.
Nanashi felt the cup in her hand shatter.
"No matter who wins this, the Kyuubi will be used," he stared into Nanashi's eyes and smiled, "You want to protect your son, don't you?"
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"Secure the premise," Red Fox ordered while wiping the blood off of the sword.
The blank masked ANBU nodded.
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"London Bridge is falling now, falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady…"
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"Please! Please! Spare my child, plea –"
The woman's pleas were cut short as a sword went through her head.
The child's screams grew louder and they grabbed a kunai and tried to stab the cloaked man with the red fox mask.
The child didn't even take a single step before their head rolled down their shoulders.
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"… Why… why are you doing this… when you are a Uchi-" The man's voice stopped as he choked on his own blood.
His stomach slashed open and his eyes wide, the three-tomoe Sharingan still spinning wildly.
Red Fox stuck their gloved finger into the man's eyes sockets and pulled the two Sharingan eyes out and sealed it in a scroll.
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"No… No please… I beg you please… spare me… I have a child… please…" The woman begged as she clutched at her large stomach.
Red Fox didn't hesitate as they shoved a sword through her.
A few quick hand signs and the building began to burn.
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The little babe slept on, unaware that their mother was lying below the crib, a pool of blood forming around her.
Red Fox stepped closer with a kunai at hand and felt the dead woman's hands clinging to their pants. Shrugging off the grip, they walked closer to the crib and slit the babe's throat.
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A few survivors, all with the Mangekyo charged at cloaked figure with the Red Fox mask with killing intent so thick you could cut it with a knife.
"Kamui. Amaterasu."
Few droplets of red fell from the red mask as Red Fox pulled the Mangekyo eyes from the still half-living Uchiha and crushed them in their hands.
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"A Sharingan, three tomoe – you'll be giving that to me little girl," Red Fox stated.
The girl, sixteen year old, shook with fear as she hid her little brother behind her.
"…I-If I give it to you, will you spare him," She asked.
Red Fox nodded and the girl sighed with relief.
She walked closer and screamed as Red Fox rushed past her with a sword and severed the boy's head from his neck.
"Satoshi!" She screamed but before she could get another word in two fingers plunged into her eye sockets and pulled out her eyes.
Red Fox stared at the three-tomoe, half-changing into the Mangekyo, and crushed it in their palm. Red Fox made a displeased sound and looked down when the girl clutched at their pants.
"… you monster, you monster... I'll haunt you for this!"
Her throat was slit right after.
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"Mama! Mama!" The little boy cried as he eyes turned red, two-tomoes spinning.
Red Fox bent down and the boy screamed hysterically. Plunging their fingers into the eye sockets and ignoring the boy's screams of pain, the two eyes were plucked out and sealed.
Red Fox slit the boy's throat with precision and left.
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"So you came… and walk the path as I hoped you would – thank you," Kagami whispered as his eyes grew dull.
Red Fox nodded and plunged their fingers and pulled out the Mangekyo eyes before crushing them.
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"Three-tomoe," Red Fox stated as he stared at the pair of eyes before sealing them.
In front, the woman took deep, pained gasps. Unable to speak due to her throat being slit and the blood began to pool beneath her.
In her hands she clutched a photo of a small, smiling boy – Shinji.
"Goodbye Aunt."
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By night time, the Uchiha district was painted with blood.
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"London Bridge is falling now, falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady…"
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Red Fox's black cloak and gloves was soaked red by the blood and they sang quietly as the two bound figures kneeled in front.
A sword in hand and Itachi close behind, Red Fox walked towards the Uchiha Head and his wife.
"We're proud of you Itachi, always know that. Take care of your brother," Uchiha Fugaku said before the sword came down.
"Please, take care of my boys," Uchiha Mikoto wept before she two joined her husband.
Beside Red Fox, Itachi wept but no noise came from his mouth.
Red Fox took his hands and placed it over the sword.
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"Why Aniki! Why!"
"To test my limits, foolish little brother."
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"Did you hear, Uchiha Itachi slaughtered the entire clan – only his little brother was left."
"I always knew that there was something wrong with that boy."
"Poor Sasuke, he's so young."
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"Kaa-san!" Naruto exclaimed he ran towards Nanashi with tears in his eyes.
"Kaa-san! W-we thought that you weren't gonna come back!" Naruto bawled and Sai clung to her.
"Everyone keeps saying that all the Uchiha are dead 'cept for Sasuke and-and" Naruto didn't finish before he was bawling his eyes out and clinging to Nanashi.
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Kakashi stared at her in disbelief before he rushed toward her and wrapped his arms around Nanashi.
"You're alive, you're alive, you're alive," he whispered, chanting it as though it were a prayer.
Nanashi smiled as she felt those strong arms around her and the warm tears soaking her shoulder.
"Tadaima."
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"There's another Uchiha – but it's that Monster."
"Well at least there's another one, now Sasuke-kun will at least have someone left."
"But why her?"
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"Sandaime, I have returned," Nanashi said.
The Hokage nodded absentmindedly, "How was the mission?"
"Successful, Earth is willing renegotiate on trading with Konohagakure."
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Danzo held the scroll containing the Uchiha eyes and stared at Nanashi, "Why?"
"Did you not want them Danzo-sama? I am giving it to you as a gift in exchange for a small thing in return."
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"Did you hear, Uchiha Nanashi is the new clan head of the Uchiha – the council decided to give the position to her instead of Uchiha Sasuke."
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"Hiashi-sama, the Uchiha Clan head has come to visit," a Branch member said from behind the door.
Hiashi nodded and the door opened as Nanashi walked in, clad in a fine kimono of black with white lilies.
"Uchiha Nanashi, why have you come?"
Nanashi smiled demurely and passed a scrolled to Hiashi, "I gave you only a small part of the gift last time but this will be the first gift."
Hiashi clutched at the scroll, "How… Uchiha Fugaku is a prideful man; he would never sign this with his blood."
Nanashi smiled, "Yes, he is indeed a prideful man, but even a prideful man will choose family over his pride."
She smiled savagely, her teeth glistening like knives, "The Uchiha clan has conceded the position of the highest clan to the Hyuuga. I always fulfill my promises Hiashi-sama."
Nanashi stood up and bowed, "Hinata-hime will be Naruto's bride after the next two gifts are delivered." Her eyes flashed red, "I hope that you will not forget yours Hiashi-sama."
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"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty together again."
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Happiness is fleeting so treasure it while you still have it in your grasp.
When it is gone that is when you know pain.
But the pain is also a reminder of what you had – it may hurt, and it may cause you scars but don't forget that pain.
It is a reminder if the sweet, gentle, beautiful moments of the past – moments that you were a part of.
Without the pain how can we ever know the joys we once possessed, and how will be recognize the joys to come?
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I'm not very good at writing about action but I tried so please review and give me some feedback.